DIY Network

Altered Book Techniques Visit DIY's Craft Lab to learn how to alter books. From "Craft Lab" episode DCLB-137

Guest Barbara Matthiessen joins host Jennifer Perkins and demonstrates ways to cut various windows, door and niches for ephemera to use in any altered book. She also creates torn pockets and demonstrates how to ink pages and then apply stamps covered in bleach to create negative designs on paper. Next she shares instructions on painting and heating artistic spun polyfin to add texture to any book cover and how to add sparkle to a book by beading the edges of the pages.

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Guest Barbara Matthiessen shares techniques for creating unique altered book techniques.

Altered Book Techniques

Project designed by Barbara Matthiessen.

Materials:

hard bound book with at least 200 pages
paper adhesive (glue stick)
gel medium
various colors ink pads
Kaleidacolor® Berry Blaze from Tsukineko® (This is a one-of-a-kind ink pad that gives different direction to paper results. Plus, it is an ink that will work for bleach stamping — some do not.)
Lumiere® Metallic Paints in Pearl Turquoise, Pearlescent Magenta, Metallic Gold from Jacquard (It needs to be these paints since they are heat safe.)
rubber stamps with images and words
ephemera (personal items such as ticket stubs, letters, photos, 3 dimensional items)
sheet of Tyvek
wire (20-24 gauge)
assorted beads
gold metallic thread
Gem-Tac™ from Beacon™ Adhesives (This is the best, non-toxic glue to attach Tyvek or non-porous items used in niches or pages.)
parchment paper
bleach
paper towel
plate or palette
scrap paper
utility knife with new blade
metal straight edge
cutting mat
clamps
scissors
paintbrushes
punches
iron
awl
pencil

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

1. Scan the book for interesting photos and diagrams to use later. Gather the desired ephemera and three dimensional items you want to include to help pan niches and windows. Wrap the rest of the book including a page or two behind the block with plastic wrap.

2. Use paper adhesive to glue a block of pages together deep enough to cut a niche to hold three dimensional items (figure A). Clamp glued pages together and allow the glue to dry. Brush gel medium around the edges of the page block and then allow to dry. Place a cutting mat under the bock to protect the rest of the book before cutting niche.

3. Cut the niche using a metal straight edge and utility knife with a sharp blade. Remove the cut page sections. Decorate the niche page and backing page as desired. Glue backing page to niche block. Give it three dimension items (figure B).

4. Punch windows in pages as desired. You may choose to wait and do this after designing pages.

5. Make layered pockets using at least five pages. Glue back two pages together. Stagger tear long edges of remaining pages starting with the one closest to the back. Rub inks directly from ink pads onto torn edges placing scrap paper under each to protect the lower layer. Stamp images on the pockets as desired. Glue down the top and bottom one inch of each pocket. Insert ephemera into the pockets (figure C).

6. Color book pages quickly by rubbing or stamping ink pads directly onto the pages.

7. To bleach stamp cover pages with dye ink (Kaleidacolor), allow the ink to dry. Pour a small amount of bleach onto a folded paper towel. Dab stamp onto a bleach soaked towel and then onto the inked pages (figure D). You may also drop dots of bleach onto the pages for an additional effect.

8. Paint on Tyvek. Allow inks or paints to dry. Cut uneven — no larger then five inch — square pieces of colored Tyvek. Work on a pad of old newspapers or magazines. Place Tyvek between sheets of parchment and then iron holding the weight of the iron above the surface Adjust the iron heat and amount of pressure and time by watching Tyvek move under the parchment and contort. The colored side up will yield craters and the colored side down will yield bumps.

   Tip: Place a sheet of Tyvek under your work to catch drips and to clean brushes and stamps on for "incidental" Tyvek.

   Safety Tip: Don't heat to the point of smoking, and work in a well-ventilated area with a mask if sensitive.

9. Mark the edges of the pages every 1/2" to 3/4" about 1/2" in to add beaded edging. Place the cutting mat under the page and then use an awl to make holes. Thread 20-24 GA wire through the first hole and twist the wire back around itself to secure. Add beads to the long end of the wire and then insert wire into the next hole. Repeat adding beads as desired.

GUESTS :

Barbara Matthiessen
Creative Art Diner
We apologize no contact information is available.